Troopers Investigate Serious Motor Vehicle Crash-Middletown

Presented by the Director of Public Information Sergeant Richard D. Bratz

Middletown, DE – The Delaware State Police is currently investigating a serious crash with multiple vehicles that occurred east of Middletown.

The preliminary investigation revealed the crash occurred around 4:56 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2017, on SR 1 southbound south of SR 299, Middletown. It was reported that a passenger vehicle (red Chrysler 200) was traveling in a reckless manner while driving northbound on SR 1 and had cut off another vehicle (Honda CRV) which was also traveling northbound on SR 1. After the Chrysler cut off the Honda CRV, the Honda CRV swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid striking the rear bumper of the Chrysler. The Chrysler applied its brakes to decrease speed for traffic ahead. Once the Honda CRV swerved to the right in order to change lanes, the front passenger side struck the driver side of another vehicle (Chevrolet Cobalt) which was in the right lane of travel. This action caused both vehicles to swerve left across the grass center median and into the left lane of southbound SR 1. Once both vehicles entered the southbound lanes, the front bumper of the (Chevrolet Cobalt) struck the driver side of a (Mercury Milan) causing it to spin in a clockwise direction. It was at this time the Honda CRV struck the driver side of an (Old Dominion Freight Liner Tractor Trailer) with two trailers attached carrying non-perishable food. The impact from the Honda CRV caused tractor trailer to jackknife, which in turn caused the second trailer to overturn.

Daniel Murray III, 21 of Aston, PA, operator of the Honda CRV was removed from the scene and transported to the Christiana Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Michael Gonzales-Romero, 17 of Newark, operator of the Chevrolet Cobalt was removed from the scene and transported to the Middletown Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Brittany Schatz, 30 of Bear, operator of the Mercury Milan was removed from the scene and transported to the Middletown Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Guy Dillion, 32 of Clayton, operator of the tractor trailer was not injured in the collision.

SR 1 southbound in the area of the collisions was closed for approximately five hours as the crash was investigated and cleared.

This crash is still under investigation by the Delaware State Police. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact Troop 9 at 302-365-8453. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com.